High-Intensity Interval Training: Safe and Beneficial Physical Activity Strategy in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors' conclusion
HIIT improved physical fitness and body composition maintaining glycemic stability, being a safe regimen to encourage physical activity in adolescents with TD1.
Study context
- Population
- Adolescents aged 12–19 years with T1D diagnosed ≥1 year, at least Tanner stage III, HbA1c 7–11.5%, total daily insulin dose ≥0.7 units/kg/day22 completed
- Exposure
- Before vs after high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
- HIITn = 22
- Outcome
- Metabolic effects of HIIT: TIR, glycemic variability, HbA1c, lipid profile, blood pressure and body composition
- Follow-up
- Baseline, 1 and 3 months of intervention, and 3 months after intervention
Methodological detailsmulticenter, single-group
- Multicenter
- Single-group
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HbA1c and TIR
Mean blood glucose during sessions, mg/dL (before to after)
191.61 ± 13.69 to 159.95 ± 13.04
p < 0.001
Lean mass after 3 months of training (before to after)
40.84 ± 8.53 to 42.35 ± 8.34
p < 0.001
Fat mass after 3 months of training (before to after)
29.94 ± 8.99 to 28.85 ± 9.20
p = 0.010
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Maximal oxygen consumption · intervention completed
- VO2max improved (before to after)
- 33.86 ± 4.00 to 36.43 ± 3.64; p < 0.001
Barriers toward physical activity · after training
- Lack of motivation (before vs after)
- 73% vs. 59%
- Concerns regarding weather (before vs after)
- 27% vs. 14%
Safety
- No increase in time in hypoglycemia
Original publication
High-Intensity Interval Training: Safe and Beneficial Physical Activity Strategy in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Horm Res Paediatr. Published 17 March 2026. doi:10.
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